Anaesthesia | Paediatrics | Inhalational Induction

Inhalational Induction
Session Overview
Description
This session describes the standard management of inhalation induction of anaesthesia in infants and children who are ASA 1 or 2. Children of all ages may need to have anaesthesia induced by the inhalational method. This session also covers definitions, indications, contraindications, standard techniques and hazards.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Define the terms unconsciousness and inhalation induction
• State indications for inhalation induction
• State the main contraindications of inhalational induction
• State common administration techniques of inhalation induction
• Identify the main causes and remedies of airway obstruction and cardiorespiratory depression

Prerequisites
Before commencing this session you should complete the following:

• Module 01/Basic Science/Pharmacology essentials/Inhalational anaesthetic agents (001-0014)
• Module 01/Airway Care/Airway assessment/Prediction of difficult airway (001-0030)
• Module 01/Airway Care/Airway assessment/Airway obstruction (001-0031)
• Module 01/Principles of Anaesthesia/Choice of anaesthetic technique/Airway choice (001-0041)
• Module 01/Equipment Essentials/Introduction to breathing systems/Common breathing sytems (001-0063)
• Module 01/Equipment Essentials/Introduction to breathing systems/Breathing system components (001-0062)

Inhalational induction is defined as the process used to achieve unconsciousness in patients using an inhalational drug.

Unconsciousness may be defined variously, as loss of response to verbal command, loss of eyelash reflex or lack of motor response to painful stimulus.

Generally, induction progresses to maintenance of anaesthesia, when the patient is sufficiently anaesthetized to either accommodate an airway device or remain immobile for the intended procedure.